Course Descriptions

Case Law & Insurance Contracts (NEW FOR 2018!)4 CE HoursThis course takes us into the courtroom and shows the process judges and juries use to determine whether a complaint is legitimate, or whether to support an insurance company’s denial of a claim. We discuss the importance of policy language, and definitions of key terms and phrases. We explain the Plain Meaning Rule and the Special Meaning Rule. We discuss the importance of “intent” and “perspective,” as they play roles in the court’s ultimate rulings. Case studies are provided to expound upon each point raised in the course.

Critical Illness & Disability Planning(NEW FOR 2018!)3 CE HoursExperiencing a critical illness is a life-altering event. The mental, physical, financial and emotional tolls taken can devastate a family. Illnesses formerly considered terminal now are often survivable. Unfortunately, the aftermath of a critical illness can be difficult. This is where critical illness insurance and disability income insurance can save the day. With proper planning, and truly understanding what is at stake for your family, a plan of action can be prepared before this type of life event occurs. This course discusses what critical illness insurance is, and is not. We thoroughly cover what disability income insurance is, and is not. Understanding the differences in these products is important to properly plan a family’s sound financial future

Errors and Omissions Insurance 3 CE HoursThis course examines what an Errors and Omissions policy is and how it functions. It reviews the concept of agent negligence and how it can lead to professional liability claims. The course outlines duties toward the company or companies the agent represents and the responsibilities agents have toward their prospects and clients. Also examined are types of Errors and Omissions claims made against agents, which often must be defended in a court of law.

Ethical Conduct and Suitability 3 CE Hours (Meets State Ethics CE Requirements Except in IL)This course analyzes the criminal case that the state of California brought against insurance agent Glenn Neasham. Glenn was a licensed Life Insurance agent in the state. He sold an annuity to an elderly lady. He was later investigated and prosecuted for that sale under an indictment for theft from an elderly person. This was a precedent-setting charge against an insurance agent. The course reviews how the sale transpired, the actions Glenn took, and a special focus and emphasis on the ethics of the sale and the suitability questions that arose.

Ethics and Your Insurance Career 3 CE Hours (Meets State Ethics CE Requirements Except in IL)This course starts by giving a broad and thorough explanation of ethics for the professional insurance agent today. It covers the process of creating an ethical code of conduct satisfactory to the expectations of our regulators, companies, and the general public. Course topics include: “How ethical are we?,” and “What does ethics entail?” The course outlines our ethical weaknesses, the role of ethics in our industry, and the expectations of the general public toward agents today.

There are many laws dealing specifically with unfair trade practices. Many are specifically written concerning insurance in particular. In this ethics course, we start with the basics of determining whether a trade practice is fair or unfair to the consumer. Once that foundation is laid, we then move into discussing the NAIC Model Act which deals with Unfair Trade Practices in our industry today. All the primary aspects of the Model Act are covered, with questions and discussions encouraged.Ethics In the Insurance Industry 3 CE Hours (Meets State Ethics CE Requirements Except in IL)This course clarifies the differences between morals and ethics, how they’re related, and the focus of regulations in regards to these concepts. The discussion reviews the expectations on corporate and agent conduct in the field of insurance. Specific duties are reviewed that must be fulfilled to achieve the expectations and requirements placed on the industry by regulators and an informed public.

Family Insurance Needs Workshop 6 CE Hours This course covers some of the most important financial needs a family might face, including the death of a breadwinner, retirement planning, educational funding for children, and disability income. A thorough review of the major crisis issues revolves around these needs: survivor needs, the role of life insurance and how the different types of life insurance work, retirement needs and preparing for retirement, the costs and funding methods to prepare for your child’s secondary education, and the possibility of an injury or illness that doesn’t kill you but instead disables you.

Fundamentals of Annuities 4 CE Hours (Meets State Annuity Suitability Requirements except for California)Annuities can be an important product to help one achieve peace of mind and financial security a person is seeking for their retirement years. It is one of the most misunderstood financial products on the market today. This course lays bare what’s really going on inside the product and debunks some of the myths and misconceptions in the minds of the general public. The course reviews the inner workings of annuities, the different types of annuities, tax ramifications, and how the annuitization process works.

Fundamentals of Dwelling and Homeowners Policies 3 CE HoursThis course is an overview of these two policies, reviewing similarities between the two. Included is a discussion of why and when you’d purchase a dwelling policy rather than a homeowners policy. The primary course discussion is on the property side: how these two policies provide similar coverage, and the differences between the two.

Fundamentals of Farm & Crop Insurance (NEW FOR 2018!) 3 CE HoursWe explore how we determine whether a residence is on a “farm” and the criteria insurance companies use to make that determination. After that basis is identified, we move into discussing the Coverage Parts of the Farm Policy. We provide a discussion of what Crop Insurance is, and isn’t. Topics include: Yield and Price Protection plans, eligibility issues, and a brief comparison of different types of crop policies.

Fundamentals of FEMA Flood Insurance 3 CE Hours (Meets FEMA Flood Training Requirements)Floods can happen at any time and anywhere. A flood is physically and financially devastating. This course takes an in-depth look at how the government-backed flood program and flood insurance works. The course reviews the National Flood Insurance Program and the role of FEMA as the managing government agency. Included is a discussion of the process a community completes to become a member of the NFIP, the designation of flood zones, the coverages and exclusions of the policy, and how this protection fits in with existing homeowners and building insurance.

Fundamentals of Life Insurance 6 CE Hours Life insurance is arguably one of the most important financial products a person can purchase, yet it’s easy for people to put off the decision to protect their families. This course reviews the different types of life insurance policies, how they’re different, the major features, and some misunderstood policies on the market. Time also is spent on policy options, conditions, and tax ramifications.

Fundamentals of Long-Term Care Insurance 8 CE HoursThe course provides an expanded view of the aging of America and the financial and physical stress it places on families and institutions that care for the elderly. The financial toll is heavy on those who have not prepared for the eventuality of having a health crisis in their elder years. LTC Insurance offers a remedy to handle those life events. The course addresses the typical policy features and benefits found today and reviews alternatives to finance the cost of extended care without experiencing financial ruin.

Fundamentals of Personal Lines Insurance 6 CE HoursThis fundamentals course covers the basics of creating a Personal Lines policy. There are “behind the scenes” concepts at work for these policies to function properly for the benefit of both parties to the contract: the insured and the insurer. The course reviews insurable interest, contracts of indemnity, two-party contracts vs. third-party contracts, limits of liability and how sub-limits apply within an overall aggregate limit of coverage. The course explains terminology and definitions within the policies. The course outlines the different types of insurance organizations that market these products and how they differ.

Fundamentals of Social Security and Medicare 4 CE HoursSocial Security has evolved throughout the decades of its existence. The course covers the current issues concerning retirement benefits and strategies for maximizing your benefits. It outlines benefits for family members, survivor’s benefits, SSI benefits, and disability income benefits. Included is a discussion of the misconceptions and challenges in qualifying for the benefits. All aspects of Medicare are reviewed as well, including enrollment rules, benefits, and features.

Identity Theft 4 CE Hours (This course is not approved in IDAHO or HAWAII)Most people have been a victim of Identity Theft, or know someone who has. Insurance agents need to stay current on this fast-growing and fast-changing crime in order to properly advise clients on proper risk management and the scope and ramifications of Identity Theft. The course explains Identity Theft, how it happens, and the consequences of falling victim to it. Also reviewed are ways to minimize exposure, what to do if you have become a victim of Identity Theft, and insurance remedies for Identity Theft.

Insurance Contracts and Liability 4 CE HoursThis course reviews how insurance policies are designed, focusing on the contractual aspect rather than the policy benefits. Insurance policies are contracts with conditions, definitions, and terms that make clear that the benefits paid are based on the language of the contract. If there is a disagreement over whether benefits should have been paid, the insured always has the right to take the insurance company to court. Courts will always make a determination based on the language of the contract.

Insuring Home-Based Businesses (NEW FOR 2018!)3 CE HoursDid you know there are over 40 million “home offices” and over 11 million home-based businesses? How many of your homeowner’s policy clients might have some sort of home-based business? The Homeowner’s Policy does not cover liability exposure from a business, and has little property coverage for business equipment. This course defines what a business is, and the insurance limitations of having a business at home. We discuss the differences in owning your own business versus running a business you do not own. We discuss endorsements to increase coverage for a business at home. We define what Incidental farming is and what coverage is available for that risk. We address the question: when should a person running a business from home consider buying a full-blown commercial policy to cover their risk exposures?

Issues in E-Commerce Insurance Liability (NEW FOR 2018!)3 CE HoursDid you know the FBI reports cyberthreats are expected to soon surpass terrorism threats as the most dangerous of our nation’s concerns? This makes it critically important for people using the Internet in their personal or business lives to be aware of their exposures to this type of threats and the measures to protect themselves. Our discussion include privacy issues, the infringement of intellectual property, virus transmission, or any other serious trouble passing from first to third parties via the Web. We provide a thorough discussion as to why businesses need Cyber Liability insurance and Network Security Insurance. The courses closes with a discussion clarifying what Technology Errors and Omissions insurance is, and why it’s a good idea for a business to also carry that type of protection.

Today’s New Insurance Risks (NEW FOR 2018!)3 CE HoursTimes have certainly changed. These changes have brought new types of risk exposures. New business models have presented challenges to our traditional insurance industry.

Ride Sharing (Uber, Lyft, etc.) - The course begins with a discussion of “Ride Sharing,” what is it, and what kinds of risks it has presented to the industry and to the individuals involved in it.

Usage-Based Insurance - What is Usage-Based Insurance? How is it different from our traditional models of assessing risk? Examples include autos monitored for speed and miles driven and monitoring of exercise and health habits to substantiate insurance premium discounts.

Self-Driving Cars – We discuss Self-Driving Cars and the risks associated with them.

Home-Sharing (AirBnB, etc.) - Another “new” development is the concept of Home-Sharing and Short-Term rentals of one’s home. We explore these exposures as they affect the Homeowner’s Policy and insurance carriers.

Drones - There’s been an explosion on the personal and commercial side of things with the usage of drones. We discuss how has this created new insurance exposures.

This course covers the basics of Disability Income insurance. It reviews the need for disability income protection, policy design features, how the policy works, and disability policy terminology. The course reviews underwriting, occupational definitions, benefit amounts, benefit periods, elimination periods and benefit integration with Social insurance.

Understanding Homeowner’s Policy Endorsements 7 CE HoursThe Homeowners policy is a package policy that offers many coverages. However, there are limitations and exclusions within the policy. Many policy endorsements are offered by insurance companies to offer additional coverages not provided in the base coverage package. This course reviews many of the available policy endorsements and addresses gaps and limitations in coverage within the standard policy.

Understanding Insurance Fraud 4 CE HoursInsurance fraud costs the insurance industry and consumers billions of dollars each year. This course defines insurance fraud and outlines who commits it and how much it costs society. The course reviews many insurance scams and how they are executed through different policies. This review provides insight into why various fraud schemes are committed and how the criminals benefit from them. This is a timely and topical “expose-style” course.

Understanding Insurance Principles 7 CE HoursThis is a fundamentals approach to understanding the primary insurance principles that dictate how the insurance industry and insurance policies work. The course describes the different types of insurance organizations that market our products. It reviews the basic principles at work that often and taken for granted or misunderstood by the public. The course outlines different lines of insurance and what separates them. Contracts are explained, including an overview of their terms and conditions. The course includes a discussion of the role of insurance agents and their responsibilities in the insurance process.

Understanding Long-Term Care Insurance 5 CE HoursThe course reviews the aging of America and the financial and physical stress it places on families and institutions that care for the elderly. The financial toll is heavy on those who have not prepared for the eventuality of having a health crisis in their elder years. LTC Insurance offers a remedy to handle those life events. The course addresses the typical policy features and benefits found today and reviews alternatives to finance the cost of extended care without experiencing financial ruin.

Understanding Loss Prevention 1 CE Hour (This course is not approved in Massachusetts)To understand how to prevent losses you must first understand where the sources of loss. This course outlines the types of risk people are face daily. Various policy types are identified, with major causes of loss explained for each. The course reviews loss exposure in the context of those policies, and how individuals can become aware of, and hopefully avoid, loss exposures. The primary policies discussed are the Personal Auto Policy and the Homeowner’s Policy.

Understanding Medicare Supplements 3 CE HoursMost Americans will enroll in the Medicare program. Medicare offers a lot, but it also lacks a lot, for medical care for senior citizens. Medicare Supplements, also called Medigap policies, were designed to help cover those costs not covered by Medicare. This course reviews the current ten standard Medicare Supplements being marketed today, outlining the different parts of Medicare and the coverage gaps they address. The course reviews how the different policies are designed to address those gaps. The course demonstrates how Medicare Select works. Also discussed are eligibility rules, enrollment rules, switching from one policy to another, and your rights and protections.

Understanding Mold & Water Damage (NEW FOR 2018!)2 CE HoursWhat is mold? Why are we concerned about it? Is it the devastating risk exposure some make it out to be? We discuss the insurance concerns relating to mold, as well as how to combat, control, and remove mold from home or business premises. Multiple case studies are presented to demonstrate the insurance issues associated with mold and water damage.

Understanding Social Security 3 CE Hours (This course is not approved in Hawaii)This course explains the major features of the Social Security program. Social Security is a government program designed to financially assist the senior population in their retirement years. Even though most Americans will eventually participate, many have a limited knowledge of how the program functions. The course outlines major benefits available, eligibility rules to receive those benefits, strategies to maximize benefits, and limitations of the program. The course dispels some of the myths surrounding the difficulty, or ease, of qualifying for benefits, especially disability income benefits.

Understanding the Businessowners Policy (NEW FOR 2018!)3 CE HoursThe “BOP” is a pre-packaged business policy purchased by many small, low-risk businesses to insure their commercial risks and needs. The course offers a thorough walk-through of the coverages offered and excluded, and a discussion of businesses eligible and not eligible for a BOP.Understanding the Homeowners Policy 7 CE HoursHomeowners Insurance is one of the most-purchased insurance industry products. Many people purchase this insurance but do not understand the features and benefits of the policy and how it is administered. The course outlines both basic and advanced concepts of the policy. The course reviews benefits provided, the various parts of the contract, what policies are available, and the differences between them. The course discussion outlines the levels of peril coverage available, conditions found in the policies, and the difference between property and liability coverages.

Understanding the Personal Auto Policy 7 CE HoursThis course provides a thorough review of the auto policy contract, including the major terms and definitions, how the policy is constructed, and the benefits in each section of the policy. The course reviews concerns and misunderstandings within the standard policy frequently encountered. A discussion of auto policy exclusions is featured in the course.

Understanding the Personal Umbrella 6 CE HoursUmbrella insurance is an “undersold” policy in today’s insurance market. This course covers the problem of living in a litigious society. The course outlines how the Umbrella Policy can be of benefit, how it works, and how it coordinates with other personal liability policies. We cover the key concepts and terms involved, and how the policy differs from other liability policies. This course provides knowledge designed to position insurance producers to discuss the umbrella policy with clients.